TORONTO, Canada, July 26th, 2019 – Last Friday evening, July 19th at the spectacular, Globe and Mail Centre, the 2nd annual Waterfront Awards gala unfolded, celebrating outstanding women of the Greater Toronto Area. With a panoramic view overlooking the Toronto skyline, this red-carpet gala brought together a diverse group of nominees, industry leaders, and guests, to recognize and celebrate a roster of outstanding women across 15 career categories. Karim Mirshahi, founder of Toronto Waterfront Magazine and Co-Chair Aida Memisevic, along with their team of many volunteers pulled off another successful, sold out event!
Red carpet, flashing camera lights, interviews, old friends, new friends, culinary delights, and an array of spectacular entertainment, …! Guests were treated to a true red carpet, gala event. On arrival, guests were escorted by handsomely dressed, white gloved, tuxedoed ushers to a red-carpeted corridor where they were met with the flashing lights of many cameras and interviews. Over cocktails and a delectable assortment of cuisine, guests relaxed either in the cozy, posh reception hall or outside in beautiful 17th floor terrace against the Toronto sunset horizon, enjoying warm greetings from old friends and pleasant conversation with new acquaintances.
Contributing to the ambiance was a stellar line-up of entertainment including a magician, pianists, a live painting artist, caricaturist, dancers, not to mention Spanish guitarist, Peter Mathers and his Gypsy Muse Duo, and internationally prominent opera singer, Mira Solovianenko framed by the electrifying violinist, Dr. Draw!
…And the winner is… Finally, the moment arrived when presenters, nominees, and guests were ushered into the theatre room overlooking a panoramic city and lake view. Media personalities, Aida Memisevic and Mike Wixson, hosted the event, charming the audience and leading the awards presentations. Over 150 women were nominated and two types of awards were issues: The People’s Choice Award, determined by on-line votes and Jury by Committee Awards, which was selected by the Women of Governance, an independent committee.
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the Legacy Lifetime Achievement Award which was bestowed upon the Honorable Jean Augustine, PC, CM, CBE by Toronto City Councillor Deputy Mayor, Ana Bailao. Over six decades, Dr. Augustine has led and crusaded to improve education and woman’s rights. She was one of the first Black women to be elected to the House of Commons of Canada where she served as Minister of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women. Other noted presenters were Member of Parliament, Julie Dabrusin, Ellen Fulcher, founder of the first and largest modelling agency and the first spa in Canada and, Karim Mirshahi, the event organizer.
Winners were escorted off the stage to yet more interviews and more photos. The evening rounded off with celebratory dancing at the after party.
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CATEGORY AWARD WINNERS - Selected by Jury (Women in Governance)
Arts and Culture - Winner: Gayathri Devi Vijayakumar
Runners Up: Naomi Hiltz, Puja Amin
Author - Winner: Florah Terah
Runners Up: Tracy Schmitt, Randi Goodman
Community Activism - Winner: Othalia Doe-Bruce
Runners Up: Rosemary Sandler, Carmela Liparoti
Culinary – Winner: Natasha Medrano
Runners Up: Katya Haro
Entrepreneurship and Business – Winner: Ameera Ameerullah
Runners Up: Lara Pietrolungo, Samantha Brooks
Environment – Winner: Dr Dianne Saxe
Runners Up: Kehkashan Basu, Lauren Barnes
Fashion and Style – Winner: Lindsay Anne Delaney
Runners Up: Mala Singh, Klaudia Capalbo
Film and Television – Winner: Leslie Ann Coles
Runners Up: Raj Girn, Nikki Clarke
Music – Winner: Elsa Hsieh
Runners Up: Angelica Johnson, Elizabeth Spano
Outstanding Innovator – Winner: Linda Pinizzotto
Runners Up: Diane Matyas, JB Owen
Philanthropy – Winner: Dr. Caroline Makaka
Runners Up: Sharla Brown, Alice Li
Science and Technology - Winner: Claudette McGowan
Runners Up: Inga Spatari, Senator Rose Galvez
Sports, Health and Fitness – Winner: Arshiya Bhan
Runners Up: Florence Liberski, Rosie Brancati – Metayer
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT – Winner: Charmaine Loverin
Runners Up: Tracy Schmitt, Anne K Abbott
Legacy Lifetime Achievement Award – Winner: Jean Augustine
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS - Selected by On-line votes
Arts + Culture: Munni Subhani
Entrepreneurship + Business: Samantha Brookes
Community Activism: Jade Naraine
Science and Technology: Inga Spatari
Fashion + Style: Sahar Hajimohammadi
Sports + Fitness: Gladys Orozco Stojko
Philanthropy: Michele Taras
Music: Angelica Johnson
Film + TV + Digital Arts: Janette Burke
Authors: Laura Avolese
Environment: Kehkashan Basu
Outstanding Innovator: Lannette Jamieson
Culinary Arts: Katya Haro
Outstanding Achievement: Vanessa Lachman
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MEDIA RESOURCES
We welcome you to use the photos in the links below. Please make sure to credit the photographers:
Mulugeta Zerbgaber - http://bit.ly/2ylq6Fl
Joe Fiore - http://bit.ly/2KouBVp
John Ortner - http://bit.ly/2Muhmoq
SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: @waterfrontawards Facebook: @WaterfrontAwards Twitter: @waterfrontmag LinkedIn: Waterfront Awards
MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Natasha Ramjohn
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PR & Marketing, The Waterfront Awards 2019
Fashion Editor, Toronto Waterfront Magazine
Integrated Marketing & PR
Email: nramjohnm@rogers.com
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